Haymaking device

ABSTRACT

A haymaking device for displacing mown crop includes a frame having a main beam which extends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centre line, and at least a first side arm located on one side of the main beam, wherein the side arm carries at least one crop processing tool, preferably rotatably driven about a rotor centre line. The crop processing tool can be a crop displacing tool, such as a rake. The crop processing tool is mounted on a first pivot arm which, in the region of a first pivot arm connection, is pivotably connected, about a substantially horizontal centre line, to the first side arm for movement between an operative position and a transport position. In the operative position, the first pivot arm connection is located at a larger distance from the main beam than the rotor centre line of the first crop processing tool.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT application numberPCT/NL2011/000015 filed on 4 Mar. 2011, which claims priority fromNetherlands application number 1037784 filed on 8 Mar. 2010. Bothapplications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a haymaking device provided with at least onecrop processing tool, such as a mower, a tedder or a rake. Inparticular, the invention relates to a device for displacing mown crop,in particular mown grass. The invention relates in particular to a cropdisplacing device provided with pins, in particular a rake device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Haymaking devices can be designed so as to have a central frame and sidearms projecting on both sides thereof, on which side arms one or morecrop processing tools are mounted.

In a commonly used rake device the side arms extend transversely to amain beam. Adjustment of the working width can take place byretracting/extending a part of the side arm that carries the circularrake, see for example EP 1.095.555. When bringing the rake device intothe transport position, the outer part of the side arm is pivotedupwardly, whereafter the circular rake is substantially vertical and isnarrow in horizontal transverse direction. In this case, the rake pinsare usually oriented outwardly. In an alternative embodiment, see EP2.022.316, the upwardly pivotable outer part is mounted on a bendablearm which can be bent outwardly/inwardly.

In another type of an embodiment of a rake device, the side arms divergeforwardly from a hinge mounting to a main beam, see EP 1.077.595, EP1.488.685 and EP 2.022.317, which are all hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties. By pivoting the side arms in a horizontalplane, the working width can be set. By means of their own pivot arms,the circular rakes are connected to the side arms so as to be upwardlypivotable. In the upwardly pivoted transport position, in which bothside arms are oriented parallel to the main beam, they extendtransversely outwardly together with the rake pins.

As a result of the fact that the rake tines and the pivot partsextending between the rake wheels extend outwardly, the width of therake device in transport position is fairly large. The width of the rakedevice in transport position, in particular in the rear part of the rakedevice, affects the maneuverability of the drawn rake device, inparticular when making turns around buildings, in gates. In the case ofa larger width, the risk of the rake pins coming into contact withstationary objects, such as a wall or column, increases. Said contactcan result in that the rake pins or rake arms may become damaged andneed to be replaced. Moreover, the rake pins projecting during transportconstitute a danger to humans and animals.

The pivoting movement of circular rakes to a transport position in whichrake pins are oriented inwardly is known per se.

For example, EP 0.548.720 discloses a double rake device mounted on thefront end of a tractor, of which the two rake arms extending forwardlyfrom a cross beam are upwardly pivotable and are also rotatable abouttheir centre lines.

DE 10 2004 035 082, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety, discloses a drawn, double rake device, the circular rakesbeing located on both sides of a main beam and can each be mounted on arod extending in longitudinal direction, which rod is at one endrotatably mounted itself to a transverse arm which is connected to themain beam so as to be pivotable upwardly. In a not further describedmanner, when the transverse arm is pivoted upwardly, the circular rakecan be rotated about the centre line of the longitudinal rod in such amanner that the rake pins extend inwardly in the transport position.

EP 1.839.480 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety,discloses a rake device provided with six circular rakes, having twomain arms each carrying three circular rakes. Each circular rake isconnected to the respective main arm by means of an upwardly pivotableand rearwardly extending rake arm. The main arms are pivotably connectedin the horizontal plane to a short transverse frame which is mounted toa tractor. In the transport position, the main arms extend rearwardlyfrom the short transverse frame and the pivot arms are pivoted upwardly,in which case the rake pins of all circular rakes are oriented inwardly.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device fordisplacing mown crop, which is provided with a main beam and a side armcomprising a pivot arm which carries a crop processing tool, by means ofwhich the crop processing parts of the crop processing tool extendinwardly in the transport position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device fordisplacing mown crop, provided with at least one crop processing tool,by means of which it is achieved in an alternative manner that the cropprocessing parts of the crop processing tool extend inwardly in thetransport position.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device fordisplacing mown crop, which is provided with a main beam and a side armcomprising a pivot arm which carries a crop processing tool, by means ofwhich the crop processing tool can be given a favourable position whenmanoeuvring on headlands.

It is an object of the invention to provide a compact haymaking devicefor displacing mown crop.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device fordisplacing mown crop, which has a good manoeuvrability.

It is an object of the invention to provide a haymaking device fordisplacing mown crop, whose width is adjustable in a favourable manner.

In order to achieve at least one of these objects, the inventionprovides, from one aspect, a haymaking device, in particular fordisplacing mown crop, comprising a frame having a main beam whichextends in a longitudinal direction and defines a longitudinal centreline, and at least a first side arm located on one side of the mainbeam, wherein the side arm carries at least one crop processing tool,preferably rotatably driven about a rotor centre line, in particular acrop displacing tool, such as a rake, wherein at least a first cropprocessing tool is mounted on a first pivot arm, which pivot arm, in theregion of a first pivot arm connection, is pivotably connected, about asubstantially horizontal centre line, to the first side arm for movementbetween an operative position and a transport position, wherein, in theoperative position, the first pivot arm connection is located at alarger horizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line than therotor centre line of the first crop processing tool.

As an alternative, the invention provides, from another aspect, ahaymaking device, in particular for displacing mown crop, comprising aframe having a main beam which extends in a longitudinal direction anddefines a longitudinal centre line, and at least a first side armlocated on one side of the main beam, wherein the side arm carries atleast one crop processing tool, preferably rotatably driven about arotor centre line, in particular a crop displacing tool, such as a rake,wherein at least a first crop processing tool is mounted on a firstpivot arm, which pivot arm, in the region of a first pivot armconnection, is pivotably connected, about a substantially horizontalcentre line, to the first side arm for movement between an operativeposition and a transport position, wherein, in the operative position,the first crop processing tool is substantially located between thefirst pivot arm connection and the longitudinal centre line.

When the crop processing tool is moved from an operative position to araised position, in particular having an orientation corresponding tothat of the transport position, it will pivot upwardly and outwardly,the crop processing parts, such as rake pins, then automaticallyassuming an inward directional component. When pivoting upwardly to someextent, the tool parts which are located more inwardly in the operativeposition, will be located at a higher level than tool parts which arelocated more outwardly. This is especially advantageous for rake devicesin the case that a central windrow has to be made in the longitudinaldirection, for example when turning on a headland.

The first pivot arm preferably extends substantially transversely to thelongitudinal centre line, i.e. at an angle of more than 45 degrees. In asimple embodiment, the first pivot arm extends substantially at rightangles to the longitudinal centre line.

In a further development of the device according to the invention, thefirst pivot arm is mounted on a first satellite frame which, in theregion of a first rotational connection, is rotatably connected about asubstantially vertical centre line to the first side arm. The satelliteframe forms a support for at least the first pivot arm, which support ismovable together with the side arm with respect to the main frame. Thefirst satellite frame can have its own orientation with respect to theside arm. The first satellite frame can then be located at a heightdifferent from that of the side arm, preferably thereabove, in order toimpede the mutual rotation as little as possible. In one embodiment, thedevice is provided with an aligning rod for the first satellite frame,which aligning rod is connected to the main beam to align the firstsatellite frame with respect to the side arm.

The first satellite frame can perform a function in providing, at adistance from the main beam, a movable support for further tools. Inparticular, a second crop processing tool can be mounted on a secondpivot arm which, in the region of a second pivot arm connection, ispivotably connected about a substantially horizontal centre line to thefirst satellite frame for movement between an operative position and atransport position, wherein, in the operative position, the second pivotarm connection is located at a smaller horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line than the rotor centre line of the second cropprocessing tool. Two pivot arms provided with a crop processing toolthus extend from the first satellite frame. The second pivot arms can berelatively short in relation to their horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line. They can be oriented in opposite directions.In particular, they can be substantially identical, as a result of whichthe device can have an increased degree of modularity.

In particular for rake devices, with which raking takes place in adirection towards the main beam or the tractor, it is advantageous ifthe second pivot arm is located in front of the first pivot arm in thedirection of travel.

If the first pivot arm connection is located at a larger horizontaldistance from the main beam than the second pivot arm connection, thetools can at least partially coincide in the transport position, whenviewed in a vertical plane of projection transverse to the longitudinalcentre line, which can be advantageous to the transverse profile of thedevice in the transport position.

In one embodiment, the first pivot arm connection is mounted on a firstsatellite arm which is oriented rearwardly from the first rotationalconnection. In one embodiment, the second pivot arm connection ismounted on a second satellite arm which is oriented forwardly from thefirst rotational connection. The combination thereof is advantageous forreasons of compactness and stability.

The first satellite arm can be located at a larger horizontal distancefrom the longitudinal centre line than the second satellite arm, whichcan be advantageous to the width in the transport position, because ofoverlap in said vertical plane of projection, and can leave space forother objects in the rear part of the device in the transport position.

In a compact embodiment, the first satellite frame is mounted at the endof the first side arm.

The first satellite frame can perform a function in supporting thedevice, in which case the first satellite frame is provided with asupport wheel which is located beside the crop processing tool and whichis in particular also located at the end of the side arm. In this case,the position of the support wheel can be selected in such a manner thatthe support wheel is located between the first and second cropprocessing tools, in the shadow of the second crop processing tool, whenviewed in the direction of travel, and need not drive over not yetprocessed crop. The support wheels follow the side arm when the positionthereof is set, so that the stability is enhanced.

The controllability is enhanced if the support wheel is mounted to thefirst satellite frame so as to be rotatable about a substantiallyvertical centre line, which centre line preferably coincides with thecentre line of the first rotational connection between the side arm andthe first satellite frame. This can also be advantageous to the movementof the first side arm between an operative position and the transportposition in the still to be described embodiment in which the first sidearm is pivotable with respect to the main beam. In one embodimentcomprising said support wheel, the device is further provided with meansfor setting the angle of rotation of the support wheel with respect tothe first satellite frame. This makes it possible to control the firstside arm when working on a transverse slope.

In a simple embodiment, the device has, in its transport position, assole support points a hitch for a tractor and the support wheel of thefirst satellite frame.

In one embodiment, the haymaking device is designed as the type in whichthe side arm is movable between a transport position, in which itextends substantially along the main beam, at a first angle to the mainbeam, and an operative position, in which the first side arm extendssidewardly from the main beam, at a second angle, larger than the firstangle. The aforementioned aligning rod can then form a parallelogrammechanism with the side arm and the satellite frame or a component whichis rigidly connected thereto, so that the orientation of the firstsatellite frame with respect to the main beam is maintained in the caseof the aforementioned movement of the first side arm.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a haymaking devicecomprising a frame having a main beam which extends in a longitudinaldirection and defines a longitudinal centre line, and at least a firstside arm located on one side of the main beam, wherein the first sidearm carries at least a first crop processing tool, preferably driven ina rotating manner about a rotor centre line, such as a rake, wherein thefirst side arm is movable between a transport position, in which itextends substantially along the main beam, at a first angle to the mainbeam, and an operative position, in which the first side arm extendssidewardly from the main beam, at a second angle, larger than the firstangle, wherein at least a first crop processing tool is mounted on afirst pivot arm which, in the region of a first pivot arm connection, ispivotably connected, about a substantially horizontal centre line, tothe first side arm for movement between an operative position, in whichthe crop processing tool can be active, and a transport position,wherein the first pivot arm is mounted on a first satellite frame which,in the region of a rotational connection, is rotatably connected about asubstantially vertical centre line to the side arm, wherein the firstsatellite frame is mounted at the end of the first side arm and isprovided with a support wheel. A few advantages of a haymaking devicehaving such a first satellite frame have already been described in theforegoing.

In the operative position, the first pivot arm connection is located ata larger horizontal distance from the rotor centre line than the rotorcentre line of the first crop processing tool, which enables to achievethe aforementioned advantages. Also in this case, the first satelliteframe can be utilized for a second crop processing tool, which ismounted on a second pivot arm which, in the region of a second pivot armconnection, is pivotably connected about a substantially horizontalcentre line to the first satellite frame for movement between anoperative position, in which the second crop processing tool can beactive, and a transport position, wherein, in the operative position,the second pivot arm connection is located at a smaller horizontaldistance from the longitudinal centre line than the rotor centre line ofthe second crop processing tool.

This haymaking device can be designed in accordance with the earlierdescribed haymaking device according to the invention, with one or moreof the particularities mentioned for that device. For example, thesatellite frame or a component rigidly connected thereto can form aparallelogram mechanism with an aligning rod and the side arm tomaintain the orientation of the satellite frame with respect to the mainbeam.

In general, the haymaking device according to the invention can bedesigned as a double one, in which case the device is provided with asecond side arm, located at that side of the main beam that is oppositeto the first side arm, wherein the second side arm forms an arrangementwhich substantially corresponds to that of the first side arm withequipment provided thereon, mirrorwise with respect to the longitudinalcentre line.

In an embodiment in which both side arms are movable between a transportposition, in which they extend substantially along the main beam, at afirst angle to the main beam, and an operative position, in which bothside arms extend sidewardly from the main beam at a second angle, largerthan the first angle, the haymaking device is provided with an operablemechanism for moving both side arms simultaneously between the transportposition and the operative position and vice versa.

Both satellite frames can be provided with a support wheel locatedbeside the crop processing tool. As already described above, the supportwheel can be mounted to the satellite frame so as to be rotatable abouta substantially vertical centre line, which centre line preferablycoincides with the centre line of the first rotational connectionbetween the side arm and the satellite frame. As a result thereof,moving the side arms simultaneously outwardly and inwardly with respectto the main beam is facilitated.

In this embodiment, the device is preferably further provided with meansfor setting the angle of rotation of each support wheel with respect tothe satellite frame supported thereby, preferably for setting the anglesof rotation of the support wheels independently of each other withrespect to the satellite frame in question. Both side arms can then beadjusted in dependence on the profile of the transverse slope on thatside of the device.

In a simple embodiment, a hitch for a tractor and the support wheels ofboth satellite frames form the sole support points for the device in thetransport position.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a haymaking device, inparticular for displacing mown crop, comprising a primary frame partwith a hitch for hitching to a tractor, wherein the frame with the hitchdefines a longitudinal centre line of the device, which is parallel tothe direction of travel or movement in the operative position, whereinthe device further comprises two secondary frame parts, located on bothsides of the primary frame part, which are connected to the primaryframe part and are each provided with at least two crop processingtools, preferably rotatably driven about a rotor centre line, inparticular crop displacing tools, such as a rake, wherein a first cropprocessing tool is mounted on a first pivot arm which, in the region ofa first pivot arm connection, is pivotably connected about asubstantially horizontal centre line to the secondary frame part formovement between an operative position and a transport position,wherein, in the operative position, the first crop processing tool issubstantially located between the first pivot arm connection and thelongitudinal centre line, and wherein a second crop processing tool ismounted on a second pivot arm which, in the region of a second pivot armconnection, is pivotably connected about a substantially horizontalcentre line, to the secondary frame part for movement between anoperative position and a transport position, wherein, in the operativeposition, the second pivot arm connection is located at a smallerhorizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line than the rotorcentre line of the second crop processing tool.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a haymaking device, inparticular for displacing mown crop, comprising a primary frame partwith a hitch for hitching to a tractor, wherein the frame with the hitchdefines a longitudinal centre line of the device, which longitudinalcentre line is parallel to the direction of travel or movement in theoperative position, wherein the device further comprises two secondaryframe parts, located on both sides of the primary frame part, which areconnected to the primary frame part and are each provided with a firstand a second crop processing tool, preferably rotatably driven about arotor centre line, in particular a crop displacing tool, such as a rake,wherein the first and second crop displacing tools are connected to thesecondary frame by a first and a second pivot arm, respectively, formovement between an operative position and a transport position by apivoting movement about a substantially horizontal pivot centre line,wherein, in the operative position, the first and second pivot armsextend in substantially opposite directions from the secondary framepart.

The haymaking devices described in the preceding two paragraphs can bedesigned so as to have one or a plurality of the above-mentionedfeatures according to the invention, in particular as described in thesubclaims. The primary frame part can in particular comprise a mainbeam, as described in the foregoing.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a haymaking devicecomprising a frame having a primary frame part and a front end providedwith means for hitching to a tractor, and comprising four cropprocessing tools, in particular circular rakes, wherein the frame of thehaymaking device comprises a longitudinal centre line which issubstantially parallel to the direction of travel, wherein two cropprocessing tools are located on both sides of the longitudinal centreline, in operative position behind each other with the front one of eachpair being outwardly staggered with respect to the rear one of saidpair, wherein the rear crop processing tools are each mounted on arespective rear, first pivot arm which is mounted, by means of a firstpivot connection, on or near the free end of a first frame arm whichextends per se freely rearwardly in a floating manner, in particularsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line and which, duringuse, is located at an intermediate distance from the longitudinal centreline, when viewed in a direction transverse thereto.

The front crop processing tools can each be mounted on a respectivefront, second pivot arm which is mounted, by means of a second pivotconnection, on or near the free end of a second frame arm which extendsper se freely forwardly in a floating manner, in particularsubstantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line and which, duringuse, is located at an intermediate distance from the longitudinal centreline, when viewed in a direction transverse thereto.

The first and/or second pivot centre lines can be substantially parallelto the longitudinal centre line.

The first pivot centre lines can be located at a horizontal distancefrom the longitudinal centre line, which horizontal distance is largerthan that for the rear crop processing tools and/or wherein the secondpivot centre lines are located at a horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line, which horizontal distance is smaller than thatfor the front crop processing tools.

The first and, if present, the second frame arms preferably form part ofa secondary frame part which is provided with a support wheel for thesame and for the device. The secondary frame part is in particular inaccordance with the aforementioned first or second satellite frame, isin particular mounted on the end of the aforementioned side arms of theframe of the device.

Also in this haymaking device, the secondary frame part—or satelliteframe—can be movable to and from the longitudinal centre line by meansof a parallelogram mechanism active in a horizontal plane.

The first frame arm can be located at a horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line, which horizontal distance is larger than thatfor the second frame arm.

The primary frame part and the secondary frame parts can beinterconnected by means of side arms whose ends are rotatably connectedabout substantially vertical centre lines to the primary frame part andthe secondary frame parts, respectively.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a haymaking device, inparticular for displacing mown crop, comprising a primary frame partwith a hitch for hitching to a tractor, wherein the frame with the hitchdefines a longitudinal centre line of the device, which longitudinalcentre line is parallel to the direction of travel or movement in theoperative position, wherein the device further comprises two secondaryframe parts located on both sides of the primary frame part, connectedto the primary frame part and each provided with at least a first cropprocessing tool, in particular a crop displacing tool, such as a rake,wherein the secondary frame parts are connected to the primary framepart by means of a parallelogram mechanism active in a horizontal plane,for movement between an operative position at a horizontal distance fromthe primary frame part and a transport position near the primary framepart whilst maintaining their orientation with respect to thelongitudinal centre line.

The first crop processing tools can each be mounted on a first pivot armwhich is mounted on the secondary frame part by means of a first pivotconnection, wherein the first pivot centre lines are located at ahorizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line, which horizontaldistance is smaller than that for the first crop processing tools.

Each secondary frame part can further be provided with second cropprocessing tools, which are each mounted on a second pivot arm which ismounted on the secondary frame part, behind the first pivot arm, bymeans of a second pivot connection, wherein the second pivot centrelines are located at a horizontal distance from the longitudinal centreline, which horizontal distance is larger than that for the second cropprocessing tools.

The first and second pivot arms can extend on both sides of and from therespective secondary frame part, preferably in opposite directions.

In this case, the primary frame part and the secondary frame parts canbe interconnected by means of side arms whose ends are rotatablyconnected about substantially vertical centre lines to the primary framepart and the secondary frame parts, respectively.

The haymaking device according to the invention is in particular a rakedevice, wherein the crop processing tool is a rake comprising a circularrake having a substantially vertical rotor centre line in operativeposition.

In an embodiment of the haymaking device according to the inventionhaving favourable possibilities of adjusting the working width, thehorizontal distance between the crop processing tool and the associatedpivot arm connection is adjustable, in particular by a telescopic designof the associated pivot arm. This enables a precision adjustment withrespect to the adjustment by means of the angle of the side arms.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a haymaking devicecomprising a frame having a central, primary frame part, such as a mainbeam extending in longitudinal direction, and a longitudinal centre line(S), and two side arms (4 a,4 b) extending sidewardly on both sides ofand from the central frame part and each carrying at least one cropprocessing tool, driven in a rotating manner about a rotor centre line,such as a rake, in particular crop displacing tools, which cropprocessing tool is connected to the respective side arm by means of apivot shaft having a substantially horizontal pivot centre line in orderto be pivoted between an operative position and an upwardly pivotedtransport position, wherein the device further comprises hitching means(3) for hitching the device to a tractor, and support wheels (9 a,9 b)for supporting the frame in the operative position and the transportposition of the device, wherein the support wheels are mounted to theends of the side arms and are each rotatable about a substantiallyvertical centre line, wherein means are provided for setting theposition of each support wheel with respect to the longitudinal centreline in at least one oblique position with respect to the longitudinalcentre line.

From a further aspect, the invention provides a haymaking devicecomprising a frame having a central, primary frame part, such as a mainbeam extending in longitudinal direction, and a longitudinal centre line(S), and two side arms (4 a,4 b) extending sidewardly on both sides ofand from the central frame part and each carrying at least one cropprocessing tool, preferably driven in a rotating manner about a rotorcentre line, such as a rake, in particular crop displacing tools, whichcrop processing tool is connected to the respective side arm by means ofa pivot shaft having a substantially horizontal pivot centre line inorder to be pivoted between an operative position and an upwardlypivoted transport position, wherein the device further compriseshitching means (3) for hitching the device to a tractor, and supportwheels (9 a,9 b) for supporting the frame in the operative position andthe transport position of the device, wherein the support wheels aremounted to the ends of the side arms and are each rotatable about asubstantially vertical centre line, wherein means are provided foradjusting the support wheels for the side arms into different obliquepositions with respect to the longitudinal centre line.

In an embodiment in which the side arms are pivotable about asubstantially vertical pivot centre line between one or more extendedoperative positions, in which they extend sidewardly from the central,primary frame part, and an inwardly pivoted transport position, in whichthey extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line,wherein the one or more setting means (e.g., setting mechanism) isconfigured to be operated simultaneously but in opposite sense, so thatthe support wheels diverge or converge at the same angle with respect tothe longitudinal centre line, which is helpful in the case of extendingthe side arms or pivoting the side arms inwardly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated uponreference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an oblique front view of an embodiment of a haymakingdevice according to the invention, designed as a rake device;

FIGS. 2A-D show an enlarged view of a left half, an enlarged view of aright half, an enlarged view of a central part and a detail of a part ofthe device of FIG. 1, respectively;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show details of the device of FIG. 1 in two stages oftransition from an operative position to a transport position;

FIGS. 4A and 4B show a front view of the device of FIG. 1 duringoperation and a front view thereof during a manoeuvre on a headland,respectively;

FIGS. 5A-5D show the operative position of FIG. 1, a narrower operativeposition and a transport position of the device of FIG. 1, a top viewand an oblique top view of the device of FIG. 1, respectively, duringthe switching from an operative position to the transport position;

FIG. 6 shows a side view of the device of FIG. 1 in transport positionbehind a tractor; and

FIGS. 7A-C show an oblique view, a front view and a top view of analternative embodiment of a hub holder for a support wheel of the deviceaccording to FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The following is a description of certain embodiments of the invention,given by way of example only and with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1and 2A-C show a circular rake device 1 with direction of travel W,comprising a main beam 2 which defines a longitudinal centre line S ofthe device 1 and which, as a primary frame part, constitutes in thisexample part of a frame of the device—and a front end of which isprovided with a hitch 3 for hitching to a non-shown tractor. The hitch 3provides three degrees of rotation (X,Y,Z). On the main beam 2 there isprovided a slide element 5 which is slidable over/along the main beam,parallel to the longitudinal centre line S, see arrows A.

Two side arms 4 a,b, which also constitute part of the frame, extend onboth sides of the main beam 2, from the slide element 5 at equal anglesalpha (α) to the longitudinal centre line S. At the outer ends of theside arms 4 a,b there are mounted subframes or secondary frame parts,hereinafter to be called satellite frames 6 a,b. As will be explainedhereinafter, the satellite frames 6 a,b are rotatable there aboutsubstantially vertical hinge centre lines with respect to the side arms.The satellite frames 6 a,b each carry two circular rakes 7 a,8 a and 7b,8 b with substantially vertical rotational centre lines R1,3,2,4,respectively, and are supported by frame support wheels 9 a,b which arelocated in the shadow of circular rakes 7 a,b. The two satellite frames6 a,b make the device 1 resemble to some extent to a catamaran.

The side arms 4 a,b are further connected to the main beam 2 (see alsoFIG. 2C) by means of holding rods 10 a,b, the outer ends of said holdingrods 10 a,b being hingeably connected, in the region of hinges 12 a,b,to brackets 11 a,b which are mounted on the side arms 4 a,b. The innerends of the holding rods 10 a,b are hingeably connected, in the regionof hinges 13 a,b, to a bracket 20 a,b which is statically mounted on themain beam 2. The inner ends of the side arms 4 a,b are hingeablymounted, in the region of hinges 14 a,b, to the slide element 5 via pins18 a,b. The holding rods 10 a,b and the part (here approximately ⅓) ofthe side arms 4 a,b between the hinges 12 a,b and 14 a,b form, togetherwith a part of the main beam 2 that is adjustable in length by means ofthe slide element 5, triangles which are transformable in shape.

Aligning rods 16 a,b extend along the front side of the side arms 4 a,b,partially shielded by hoods 17 a,b, towards the hub holders 19 a,b forthe wheels 9 a,b. The hub holders 19 a,b are hingeably connected to boththe outer ends of the side arms 4 a,b (by hinge pin 81 a,b, see FIG. 2D)and to the outer ends of the aligning rods 16 a,b (by hinge pin 82 a,b,see FIG. 2D), in such a manner that a parallelogram mechanism active ina horizontal plane is formed, in which the hub holder and the slideelement form the short sides. The aligning rod 16 a,b is slidablyconnected indirectly, by means of the slide element 5, to the main beam2, as well as the side arm 4 a,b.

Also owing to the fact that the satellite frames 6 a,b form arotationally fixed unit with the hub holders 19 a,b (rigidly mounted onupper plate 83 a,b—FIG. 2D—of hub holders 19 a,b), they will maintaintheir orientation with respect to the longitudinal centre line S in thecase of deformation of the parallelogram mechanisms. The satelliteframes 6 a,b are located above the upper surface of the side arms 4 a,bso that the relative rotation of the side arms 4 a,b with respect to thesatellite frames 6 a,b is not impeded.

The satellite frames 6 a,b, see also FIGS. 5A,B, each comprise aforwardly oriented satellite arm 21 a,b and a rearwardly orientedsatellite arm 22 a,b, which carry the circular rakes 7 a,b and 8 a,b,respectively, when these are not supported by wheel sets 31 a,b and 32a,b, known per se, which carry the circular rakes in the normaloperative position. The satellite arms 21 a,b and 22 a,b extend parallelto the longitudinal centre line S and project in a floating mannerforwardly and rearwardly, respectively, in the manner of a projectingbeam.

Outwardly oriented pivot arms 23 a,b are mounted to the front ends ofthe satellite arms 21 a,b in a manner in which they are pivotable in avertical plane about pivot centre lines C1,2 between an operativeposition and one or more raised positions, in particular an upwardlypivoted transport position. They each comprise a telescopic arm 33 a,bwith retractable/extendable arm parts 35 a,b and cylinders 37 a,b withpiston rods 39 a,b whose ends are mounted to the arm parts 35 a,b. Thearm parts 35 a,b carry rotors 25 a,b on which rake arms 27 a,b with rakepins 29 a,b are removably mounted in a manner known per se. In theoperative position, the rotors 25 a,b have substantially vertical rotorcentre lines R1.2. For the pivoting movement of the pivot arms 23 a,b,there are provided cylinders 41 a,b, whose piston rods 43 a,b engage thetelescopic arms 33 a,b.

Outwardly oriented pivot arms 24 a,b are mounted to the rear ends of thearms 22 a,b in a manner in which they are pivotable in a vertical planeabout pivot centre lines C3,4 between an operative position and one ormore raised positions, in particular an upwardly pivoted transportposition. They each comprise a telescopic arm 34 a,b withretractable/extendable arm parts 36 a,b and cylinders 38 a,b with pistonrods 40 a,b whose ends are mounted to the arm parts 36 a,b. The armparts 36 a,b carry rotors 26 a,b on which rake arms 28 a,b with rakepins 30 a,b are removably mounted in a manner known per se. In theoperative position, the rotors 26 a,b have substantially vertical rotorcentre lines R3,4. For the pivoting movement of the pivot arms 24 a,b,there are provided cylinders 42 a,b, whose piston rods 44 a,b engage thetelescopic arms 34 a,b.

The pivot arms 23 a,b and 24 a,b may be composed of identicalcomponents, so that a high degree of modularity is achieved.

The distance from the satellite arms 21 a,b to the longitudinal centreline S is smaller than the distance from the satellite arms 22 a,b tothe longitudinal centre line S, and the same applies to the location ofthe pivot centre lines C1,2 with respect to the location of the pivotcentre lines C3,4, see also FIG. 5A. The rotor centre lines R1,2 arelocated at a distance from the longitudinal centre line S, whichdistance is larger than that for the pivot centre lines C1,2 in theregion of the pivot connection to the satellite arms 21 a,b. On thecontrary, the rotor centre lines R3,4 are located at a distance from thelongitudinal centre line S, which distance is smaller than that for thepivot centre lines C3,4 in the region of the pivot connection to thesatellite arms 22 a,b. As a result thereof, the pivot arms 23 a,b pivotinwardly upwards, and the pivot arms 24 a,b pivot outwardly upwards.

During raking of a mowing field, the device 1 will usually touch mowngrass with all circular rakes, such as indicated in FIG. 4A. Aftermaking a stroke over the terrain, the device 1 has to make a turn of 180degrees to choose position for the return stroke. Said turning takesplace in a strip of the terrain at the beginning or the end of thestrokes to be made, where the mown grass is still lying on the mowingfield, scattered or already in the form of windrows. Such a strip isalso called headland. In order to prevent that the grass will bedisplaced unintentionally when manoeuvring on the headland, it will bedesired to prevent the circular rakes 7 a,b and 8 a,b from coming intocontact with the grass. By using the satellite frames 6 a,b having pivotarms 23 a,b and 24 a,b extending on both sides thereof, comparableconditions are created for all circular rakes. Also the outer circularrakes 7 a,b are raised by means of a short pivot arm, see FIG. 4B.Moreover, the circular rakes 8 a,b will soon come free from a windrowlocated below the middle of the device, when said windrow is followedover a short or longer distance during manoeuvring on the headland or ona mowing field already raked into windrows. When the device crosses awindrow, comparable results are achieved.

For the drive of the rotors 25 a,b and 26 a,b, there is provided acentral gearbox 50 which, in a vertical plane which contains thelongitudinal centre line S, is movably supported by the main beam 2. Thecentral gearbox 50 forms a double right-angled transmission having exits58 a,b which are in line with each other and have an opposite transverseorientation. The entrance 58 c of the central gearbox 50 is operativelycoupled, by means of a cardan coupling, to a main drive shaft 51 whichis telescopic and whose front end can be operatively coupled, by meansof a cardan coupling, an intermediate shaft 51 a in a bearing mounted onthe front end of the main beam 2 and a cardan coupling, to a powertake-off of a tractor. The exits 58 a,b are operatively coupled, bymeans of cardan couplings, to telescopic secondary drive shafts 52 a,bwhose outer ends are operatively coupled, by means of cardan couplings,to second corner gearboxes 53 a,b. The secondary drive shafts 52 a,b arecontinued, by short drive shafts 54 c,d, to third corner gearboxes 55c,d. The second and third gearboxes 53 a,b and 55 a,b each comprise anexit which extends obliquely forwardly and outwardly, and obliquelyrearwardly and inwardly, respectively. Telescopic rotor drive shafts 56a,b and 57 a,b are operatively coupled, by means of cardan couplings, tosaid exits, for the drive of the rotors 25 a,b and 26 a,b of thecircular rakes 7 a,b and 8 a,b.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2A-, 3A and 3B, the central gearbox 50 ismounted on a slide 67 which is slidable in longitudinal direction(direction E) on rails 66 mounted on the main beam, the front ends ofsaid rails being interconnected by a transverse rod 62 which forms astop for the slide 67. The front side of the slide 67 is detachablyconnected, by means of a hook 63 (FIG. 3B), to a transverse section 61mounted to the rear ends of two rigid pulling/pushing rods 60 whosefront ends are mounted to the slide element 5 and have a substantiallyconstant orientation. The hook 63 forms an integral whole with a catch64 and is tiltable therewith in a vertical plane which contains thelongitudinal centre line S. Below the hook 63, the slide 67 is providedwith a forwardly oriented stop surface 91.

In order to move the slide element 5 along/over the main beam 2, acylinder 70 is mounted, above the main beam 2, to said main beam, thepiston rod 71 of said cylinder being mounted to the slide element 5.

The working width of the device 1 can be set by having the side arms 4a,b project sidewardly to a greater or lesser extent in the direction D,by changing the angle alpha (a) between the side arms 4 a,b and the mainbeam 2. The support wheels 9 a,b follow that setting and maintainsubstantially their position with respect to the associated circularrakes. The working width can be set further (more precisely) by thecylinders 37 a,b and 38 a,b, by means of which also the relative mutualposition of the circular rakes 7 a,8 a and 7 b,8 b and their rotorcentre lines in transverse direction can be set.

When changing the working width of the device 1 and passing to thetransport position (and the freight position to be describedhereinafter), the aforementioned cardan couplings can assume the desiredangular position.

In the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 5A, the angle alpha (a) is maximaland the holding rods 10 a,b are transverse to the main beam 2 and theside arms 4 a,b are at a rearwardly opening angle alpha (a) ofapproximately 65 degrees to the longitudinal centre line S.

If it is desired to reduce the working width (from FIG. 5A to FIG. 5B)or to bring the device into the transport position (FIG. 5D) (see alsoFIG. 5C), the cylinder 70 is activated, which results in that the slideelement 5 is moved with respect to the bracket 20, along/over the mainbeam 2, in forward direction (direction A). In the meantime, the device1 is moved forwardly. The base of the aforementioned triangles is thenincreased and the angles made by the holding rods 10 a,b and the sidearms 4 a,b with said base are then reduced. When the desired workingwidth has been achieved (see for example FIG. 5B), the operation of thecylinder 70, and consequently the movement of the slide element 5, isstopped. Due to the parallelogram mechanism of the aligning rods 16 a,b,the hub holders 19 a,b, the side arms 4 a,b and the slide element 5, thesupport wheels 9 a,b maintain their orientation in the direction oftravel and also the satellite frames 6 a,b maintain their orientation.

In the position of minimum working width of FIG. 5B, the slide 67 hasreached a position just behind the end of the rails 66 and the slide 67and the slide element 5 are still interconnected.

To pass to the transport position, the pivot arms 23 a,b and 24 a,b areoperated in the then assumed operative position, in order to pivot thecircular rakes 7 a,b and 8 a,b upwardly. The piston rod 71 is thenextended and, via the position of FIG. 5C, the slide element 5 is forcedto the front end of the main beam 2, just behind the coupling 3. Theholding rods 10 a,b then—in the transport position of FIG. 5D—extendforwardly along the main beam 2. The side arms 4 a,b now make a smallangle of approximately 7 degrees with the longitudinal centre line S.The inner ends of the side arms 4 a,b are then brought as close aspossible to the coupling 3, as far as possible in front of the supportwheels 9 a,b, so that a larger part of the weight thereof and of thetools carried by the side arms can be absorbed by the coupling 3 of thetractor 100 (FIG. 6, arrow F), which enhances the stability duringtransport and limits a yawing movement. In addition, this makes itpossible to limit the length of the longitudinal girder.

In this case, the sole support points of the device 1 are the framesupport wheels 9 a,b and the hitch 3 to the tractor 100.

FIG. 5D shows that, in the depicted transport position, the rake tines29 a,b of the circular rakes 7 a,b are faced outwardly and the raketines 30 a,b of the circular rakes 8 a,b are faced inwardly. Thisresults in that the width at the rear end of the device in transportposition can be limited to a minimum, in which situation the rake wheels32 a,b almost touch each other. This enhances the manoeuvrability incurves along stationary constructions, the risk of damage of the raketines being reduced. The largest width of the device is defined by theframe support wheels 9 a,b. The circular rakes 7 a,b, whose tines 29 a,bextend outwardly, are, as it were, screened by the support wheels 9 a,band the rear wheels of the tractor. The circular rakes 7 a,b leavebetween them sufficient space for inter alia the main beam 2 and theside arms 4 a,b.

When the side arms 4 a,b are pivoted about the hinges 14 a,b, thedistance between the second and third gearboxes 53 a,b, 55 c,d and thelongitudinal centre line S changes. This change should be absorbed bythe telescopic secondary drive shafts 52 a,b. However, telescopic shaftscan do this only to a limited extent. By moving the ends of thesecondary drive shafts also with respect to each other in a directionparallel to the longitudinal centre line S, the extent to which theshortening/lengthening is required can be limited.

For this purpose, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1,2A-C, 3A and 3B, theslide 67, and consequently the central gearbox 50, is connected forcollective movement to the slide element 5 via the rods 60. The maindrive shaft 51 is then shortened in a telescopic manner. In thisexample, it has been decided not to take along the slide 67 over theentire trajectory of the slide element 5 and to limit the length of therails 66, also with a view to the space available in the transportposition (see FIGS. 5D and 6). For this purpose, at the arrival of theslide 67 at the end of the rails 66, the catch 64 abuts against thetransverse rod 62, as a result of which the hook 63 is lifted. Thismeans that the transverse section 61 is free from the hook 63 and theconnection between the slide element 5 and the slide 67 is disengaged.The slide 67 remains behind at that position, while the slide element 5can move further forwardly.

When the side arms 4 a,b are again extended to an operative position,the piston rod 71 of the cylinder 70 is retracted and the slide element5 again moves rearwardly. When the transverse section 61 abuts againstthe hook 63, the hook 63 is lifted to some extent and can engage againbehind the transverse section 61. The transverse section 61 abutsagainst the stop surface 91 of the slide 67. The slide 67 issubsequently pushed rearwardly over the rails 66. In the meantime, thedevice 1 is moved rearwardly.

FIGS. 7A-C show an alternative suspension for the hub holder, see 19′,which consists of two parts, viz. a U-shaped upper part 85 whichcomprises the mounting plate 83′ for the rigid mounting of a (non-shown)satellite frame 6 a,b and forms a mounting point for the hinge pins 81′and 82′ for the hinge connection with the side arm 4 a,b and thealigning rod 16 a,b, respectively, and a component 86 which carries thehub 84 for the support wheel 9 a,b. The upper part 85 and the component86 are rotatable with respect to each other, direction H, about a centreline Z which coincides with the centre line of the hinge pin 81′. Theupper part 85 and the component 86 are interconnected for mutualrotatability by means of a slide bearing 87. The rotation is effected bymeans of a cylinder 88, whose casing 89 is hingeably mounted to theupper part 85 and whose piston rod 90 is hingeably mounted to thecomponent 86. The cylinders 88 can be operated independently of eachother.

By operating the cylinder 88, direction I, the angle in the horizontalplane of the hub 84 and consequently of the wheel mounted thereon withrespect to the longitudinal centre line S can be set, without theorientation of the satellite frame 6 a,b being influenced. By means ofthis, when working on a terrain having a transverse slope, the tendencyof the device 1 to deviate in downward direction can be compensated bygiving at least the support wheel 9 a,b located at the downward side asomewhat obliquely forward orientation. Furthermore, the folding in andout of the side arms 4 a,b can be facilitated if both wheels 9 a,b arethen oriented so as to converge in the direction in which the device 1is then travelling.

Further modifications in addition to those described above may be madeto the structures and techniques described herein without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, although specificembodiments have been described, these are examples only and are notlimiting upon the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A haymaking device for displacing mown crop,comprising: a frame having a main beam extending in a longitudinaldirection and defining a longitudinal centre line, and at least a firstside arm located on one side of the main beam, wherein the side armcarries at least one crop processing tool wherein at least a first cropprocessing tool is mounted on a first pivot arm, in the region of afirst pivot arm connection, is pivotably connected, about asubstantially horizontal centre line, to the first side arm for movementbetween an operative position and a transport position, wherein in theoperative position, the first pivot arm connection is located at alarger horizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line than therotor centre line of the first crop processing tool.
 2. The deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the first pivot arm extends substantiallytransversely to the longitudinal centre line.
 3. The device according toclaim 2, wherein the pivot arm extends substantially at right angles tothe longitudinal centre line.
 4. The device according to claim 1,wherein the crop processing tool is a crop displacing tool comprising arake.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first pivot arm ismounted on a first satellite frame which, in the region of a firstrotational connection, is rotatably connected about a substantiallyvertical centre line to the first side arm.
 6. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the first satellite frame is located at a level whichdiffers from that of the side arm.
 7. The device according to claim 5,provided with an aligning rod for the first satellite frame, whichaligning rod is connected to the main beam to align the first satelliteframe with respect to the side arm.
 8. The device according to claim 5,wherein a second crop processing tool is mounted on a second pivot armwhich, in the region of a second pivot arm connection, is pivotablyconnected about a substantially horizontal centre line to the firstsatellite frame for movement between an operative position and atransport position, wherein, in the operative position, the second pivotarm connection is located at a smaller horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line than the rotor centre line of the second cropprocessing tool.
 9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the firstand second pivot arms are oriented in opposite directions.
 10. Thedevice according to claim 8, wherein the second pivot arm is located infront of the first pivot arm, when viewed in the direction of travel.11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the first pivot armconnection is located at a larger horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line than the second pivot arm connection.
 12. Thedevice according to claim 11, wherein the first pivot arm connection ismounted on a first satellite arm which extends rearwardly from the firstpivot connection,
 13. The device according to claim 12, wherein thefirst satellite arm extends substantially parallel to the longitudinalcentre line.
 14. The device according to claim 11, wherein the secondpivot arm connection is mounted on a second satellite arm which extendsforwardly from the first pivot connection.
 15. The device according toclaim 14, wherein the second satellite arm extends substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal centre line.
 16. The device according toclaim 14, wherein the first satellite arm is located at a largerhorizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line than the secondsatellite arm.
 17. The device according to any one of claims 5, whereinthe first satellite frame is mounted at the end of the first side arm.18. The device according to any one of claims 5, wherein the firstsatellite frame is provided with a support wheel which is located besidethe crop processing tool and at the end of the side arm.
 19. The deviceaccording to claim 18, wherein the support wheel is located between thefirst and second crop processing tools, in the shadow of the second cropprocessing tool, when viewed in the direction of travel.
 20. The deviceaccording to claim 19, wherein the support wheel is mounted to the firstsatellite frame so as to be rotatable about a substantially verticalcentre line.
 21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the centreline coincides with the centre line of the first rotational connectionbetween the side arm and the satellite frame.
 22. The device accordingto claim 20, further provided with setting mechanism for setting theangle of rotation of the support wheel with respect to the firstsatellite frame.
 23. The device according to claim 18, wherein thedevice has, in its transport position, as sole support points a hitchfor a tractor and the support wheel of the first satellite frame. 24.The device according to claim 1, wherein the first side arm is movablebetween a transport position, in which it extends substantially alongthe main beam, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operativeposition, in which the first side arm extends sidewardly from the mainbeam, at a second angle, larger than the first angle, wherein the deviceis further provided with an aligning rod for the first satellite frame,which aligning rod forms a parallelogram mechanism with the first sidearm and the first satellite frame or a component which is rigidlyconnected thereto.
 25. The device according to claim 1, wherein thehorizontal distance between the crop processing tool and the associatedpivot arm connection is adjustable.
 26. The device according to claim25, wherein the associated pivot arm connection is adjustable by atelescopic design of the associated pivot arm.
 27. A haymaking devicefor displacing mown crop, comprising: a frame having a main beamextending in a longitudinal direction and defining a longitudinal centreline, and at least a first side arm located on one side of the mainbeam, wherein the side arm carries at least one crop processing toolwherein at least a first crop processing tool is mounted on a firstpivot arm, in the region of a first pivot arm connection, is pivotablyconnected, about a substantially horizontal centre line, to the firstside arm for movement between an operative position and a transportposition, wherein, in the operative position, the first crop processingtool is substantially located between the first pivot arm connection andthe longitudinal centre line.
 28. The device according to claim 27,wherein the first pivot arm extends substantially transversely to thelongitudinal centre line.
 29. The device according to claim 30, whereinthe pivot arm extends substantially at right angles to the longitudinalcentre line.
 30. The device according to claim 27, wherein the cropprocessing tool is a crop displacing tool comprising a rake.
 31. Thedevice according to claim 27, wherein the first pivot arm is mounted ona first satellite frame which, in the region of a first rotationalconnection, is rotatably connected about a substantially vertical centreline to the first side arm.
 32. The device according to claim 27,wherein the first satellite frame is located at a level which differsfrom that of the side arm.
 33. The device according to claim 31,provided with an aligning rod for the first satellite frame, whichaligning rod is connected to the main beam to align the first satelliteframe with respect to the side arm.
 34. The device according to claim31, wherein a second crop processing tool is mounted on a second pivotarm which, in the region of a second pivot arm connection, is pivotablyconnected about a substantially horizontal centre line to the firstsatellite frame for movement between an operative position and atransport position, wherein, in the operative position, the second pivotarm connection is located at a smaller horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line than the rotor centre line of the second cropprocessing tool.
 35. The device according to claim 34, wherein the firstand second pivot arms are oriented in opposite directions.
 36. Thedevice according to claim 34, wherein the second pivot arm is located infront of the first pivot arm, when viewed in the direction of travel.37. The device according to claim 34, wherein the first pivot armconnection is located at a larger horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line than the second pivot arm connection.
 38. Thedevice according to claim 37, wherein the first pivot arm connection ismounted on a first satellite arm which extends rearwardly from the firstpivot connection,
 39. The device according to claim 38, wherein thefirst satellite arm extends substantially parallel to the longitudinalcentre line.
 40. The device according to claim 37, wherein the secondpivot arm connection is mounted on a second satellite arm which extendsforwardly from the first pivot connection.
 41. The device according toclaim 40, wherein the second satellite arm extends substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal centre line.
 42. The device according toclaim 40, wherein the first satellite arm is located at a largerhorizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line than the secondsatellite arm.
 43. The device according to any one of claims 31, whereinthe first satellite frame is mounted at the end of the first side arm.44. The device according to any one of claims 31, wherein the firstsatellite frame is provided with a support wheel which is located besidethe crop processing tool and at the end of the side arm.
 45. The deviceaccording to claim 44, wherein the support wheel is located between thefirst and second crop processing tools, in the shadow of the second cropprocessing tool, when viewed in the direction of travel.
 46. The deviceaccording to claim 45, wherein the support wheel is mounted to the firstsatellite frame so as to be rotatable about a substantially verticalcentre line.
 47. The device according to claim 46, wherein the centreline coincides with the centre line of the first rotational connectionbetween the side arm and the satellite frame.
 48. The device accordingto claim 46, further provided with setting mechanism for setting theangle of rotation of the support wheel with respect to the firstsatellite frame.
 49. The device according to claim 44, wherein thedevice has, in its transport position, as sole support points a hitchfor a tractor and the support wheel of the first satellite frame. 50.The device according to claim 27, wherein the first side arm is movablebetween a transport position, in which it extends substantially alongthe main beam, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operativeposition, in which the first side arm extends sidewardly from the mainbeam, at a second angle, larger than the first angle, wherein the deviceis further provided with an aligning rod for the first satellite frame,which aligning rod forms a parallelogram mechanism with the first sidearm and the first satellite frame or a component which is rigidlyconnected thereto.
 51. The device according to claim 27, wherein thehorizontal distance between the crop processing tool and the associatedpivot arm connection is adjustable.
 52. The device according to claim51, wherein the associated pivot arm connection is adjustable by atelescopic design of the associated pivot arm.
 53. A haymaking devicecomprising a frame having a main beam extending in a longitudinaldirection and defining a longitudinal centre line, and at least a firstside arm located on one side of the main beam, wherein the first sidearm carries at least a first crop processing tool, wherein the firstside arm is movable between a transport position, in which it extendssubstantially along the main beam, at a first angle to the main beam,and an operative position, in which the first side arm extendssidewardly from the main beam, at a second angle, larger than the firstangle, wherein at least a first crop processing tool is mounted on afirst pivot arm which, in the region of a first pivot arm connection, ispivotably connected, about a substantially horizontal centre line, tothe first side arm for movement between an operative position, in whichthe crop processing tool can be active, and a transport position,wherein the first pivot arm is mounted on a first satellite frame which,in the region of a rotational connection, is rotatably connected about asubstantially vertical centre line to the first side arm, wherein thefirst satellite frame is mounted at the end of the first side arm and isprovided with a support wheel.
 54. The device according to claim 53wherein the crop processing tool is a rake comprising a circular rakehaving a substantially vertical rotor centre line in operative position.55. The device according to claim 54, wherein the crop processing toolis a rake.
 56. The device according to claim 53, wherein the firstsatellite frame is located at a level which differs from that of theside arm.
 57. The device according to claim 56, wherein the firstsatellite frame is located at at a higher level than that of the sidearm.
 58. The device according to claim 53, wherein, in the operativeposition, the first pivot arm connection is located at a largerhorizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line than the rotorcentre line of the first crop processing tool.
 59. The device accordingto claim 57, wherein a second crop processing tool is mounted on asecond pivot arm which, in the region of a second pivot arm connection,is pivotably connected about a substantially horizontal centre line tothe first satellite frame for movement between an operative position, inwhich the second crop processing tool can be active, and a transportposition, wherein, in the operative position, the second pivot armconnection is located at a smaller horizontal distance from thelongitudinal centre line than the rotor centre line of the second cropprocessing tool.
 60. The device according to claim 53, which is providedwith an aligning rod for the first satellite frame, which aligning rodforms a parallelogram mechanism with the first side arm and the firstsatellite frame or a component which is rigidly connected thereto. 61.The device according to claim 53, provided with a second side arm,located at that side of the main beam that is opposite to the first sidearm, wherein the second side arm forms an arrangement whichsubstantially corresponds to that of the first side arm with equipmentprovided thereon, mirrorwise with respect to the longitudinal centreline.
 62. The device according to claim 61, wherein both side arms aremovable between a transport position, in which they extend substantiallyalong the main beam, at a first angle to the main beam, and an operativeposition, in which both side arms extend sidewardly from the main beamat a second angle, larger than the first angle, further provided with anoperable mechanism for moving both side arms simultaneously between thetransport position and the operative position and vice versa.
 63. Thedevice according to claim 61, wherein both satellite frames are providedwith a support wheel located beside the crop processing tool.
 64. Thedevice according to claim 63, wherein each support wheel is mounted tothe satellite frame so as to be rotatable about a substantially verticalcentre line, which centre line.
 65. The device according to claim 64,wherein the substantially vertical centre line coincides with the centreline of the first rotational connection between the side arm and thesatellite frame.
 66. The device according to claim 65, further providedwith setting mechanism for setting the angle of rotation of each supportwheel with respect to the satellite frame supported thereby.
 67. Thedevice according to claim 66, wherein the setting mechanism further setsthe angles of rotation of the support wheels independently of each otherwith respect to the satellite frame in question.
 68. The deviceaccording to claim 63, wherein the device, in the transport position,has as sole support points a hitch for a tractor and the support wheelsof both satellite frames.
 69. The device according to claim 53, whereinthe horizontal distance between the crop processing tool and theassociated pivot arm connection is adjustable.
 70. The device accordingto claim 69, wherein the horizontal distance between the crop processingtool and the associated pivot arm connection is adjustable by atelescopic design of the associated pivot arm.
 71. A haymaking devicefor displacing mown crop, comprising a primary frame part with a hitchfor hitching to a tractor, wherein the frame with the hitch defines alongitudinal centre line of the device, which is parallel to thedirection of travel or movement in the operative position, wherein thedevice further comprises two secondary frame parts, located on bothsides of the primary frame part, which are connected to the primaryframe part and are each provided with at least two crop processingtools, wherein a first crop processing tool is mounted on a first pivotarm which, in the region of a first pivot arm connection, is pivotablyconnected about a substantially horizontal centre line to the secondaryframe part for movement between an operative position and a transportposition, wherein, in the operative position, the first crop processingtool is substantially located between the first pivot arm connection andthe longitudinal centre line, and wherein a second crop processing toolis mounted on a second pivot arm which, in the region of a second pivotarm connection, is pivotably connected about a substantially horizontalcentre line, to the secondary frame part for movement between anoperative position and a transport position, wherein, in the operativeposition, the second pivot arm connection is located at a smallerhorizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line than the rotorcentre line of the second crop processing tool.
 72. The device accordingto claim 71, wherein the crop processing tools are rotatably drivenabout a rotor centre line.
 73. The device according to claim 72, whereinthe crop processing tools are rakes.
 74. The device according to claim73, wherein the horizontal distance between the crop processing tool andthe associated pivot arm connection is adjustable.
 75. The deviceaccording to claim 74, wherein the horizontal distance between the cropprocessing tool and the associated pivot arm connection is adjustable bya telescopic design of the associated pivot arm.
 76. A haymaking devicefor displacing mown crop, comprising a primary frame part with a hitchfor hitching to a tractor, wherein the frame with the hitch defines alongitudinal centre line of the device, which longitudinal centre lineis parallel to the direction of travel or movement in the operativeposition, wherein the device further comprises two secondary frameparts, located on both sides of the primary frame part, which areconnected to the primary frame part and are each provided with a firstand a second crop processing tool, wherein the first and second cropprocessing tools are connected to the secondary frame by a first and asecond pivot arm, respectively, for movement between an operativeposition and a transport position by a pivoting movement about asubstantially horizontal pivot centre line, wherein, in the operativeposition, the first and second pivot arms extend in substantiallyopposite directions from the secondary frame part.
 77. The deviceaccording to claim 76, wherein the crop processing tools are rotatablydriven about a rotor centre line.
 78. The device according to claim 77,wherein the crop processing tools are rakes.
 79. The device according toclaim 77, wherein the horizontal distance between the crop processingtool and the associated pivot arm connection is adjustable.
 80. Thedevice according to claim 79, wherein the horizontal distance betweenthe crop processing tool and the associated pivot arm connection isadjustable by a telescopic design of the associated pivot arm.
 81. Ahaymaking device comprising a frame having a primary frame part and afront end provided with means for hitching to a tractor, and comprisingfour crop processing tools, wherein the frame of the haymaking devicecomprises a longitudinal centre line which is substantially parallel tothe direction of travel, wherein two crop processing tools are locatedon both sides of the longitudinal centre line, in operative positionbehind each other with the front one of each pair being outwardlystaggered with respect to the rear one of said pair, wherein the rearcrop processing tools are each mounted on a respective rear, first pivotarm which is mounted, via a first pivot connection, on or near the freeend of a first frame arm which extends per se freely rearwardly in afloating manner, substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre lineand which, during use, is located at an intermediate distance from thelongitudinal centre line, when viewed in a direction transverse thereto.82. The device according to claim 81, wherein the crop processing toolsare circular rakes.
 83. The device according to claim 81, wherein thefront crop processing tools are each mounted on a respective front,second pivot arm which is mounted, via a second pivot connection, on ornear the free end of a second frame arm which extends per se freelyforwardly in a floating manner, substantially parallel to thelongitudinal centre line and which, during use, is located at anintermediate distance from the longitudinal centre line, when viewed ina direction transverse thereto.
 84. The device according to claim 83,wherein the first and/or second pivot centre lines are substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal centre line.
 85. The device according toclaim 83, wherein the first pivot centre lines are located at ahorizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line, which horizontaldistance is larger than that for the rear crop processing tools and/orwherein the second pivot centre lines are located at a horizontaldistance from the longitudinal centre line, which horizontal distance issmaller than that for the front crop processing tools.
 86. The deviceaccording to claim 83, wherein the first and the second frame arms formpart of a secondary frame part which is provided with a support wheelfor the frame.
 87. The device according to claim 86, wherein thesecondary frame part is movable to and from the longitudinal centre linevia a parallelogram mechanism active in a horizontal plane.
 88. Thedevice according to claim 83, wherein the first frame arm is located ata horizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line, whichhorizontal distance is larger than that for the second frame arm. 89.The device according to claim 85, wherein the primary frame part and thesecondary frame parts are interconnected via side arms whose ends arerotatably connected about substantially vertical centre lines to theprimary frame part and the secondary frame parts, respectively.
 90. Thedevice according to claim 82, wherein the horizontal distance betweenthe crop processing tool and the associated pivot arm connection isadjustable.
 91. The device according to claim 90, wherein the horizontaldistance between the crop processing tool and the associated pivot armis adjustable by a telescopic design of the associated pivot arm.
 92. Ahaymaking device for displacing mown crop, comprising a primary framepart with a hitch for hitching to a tractor, wherein the frame with thehitch defines a longitudinal centre line of the device, whichlongitudinal centre line is parallel to the direction of travel ormovement in the operative position, wherein the device further comprisestwo secondary frame parts located on both sides of the primary framepart, connected to the primary frame part and each provided with atleast, wherein the secondary frame parts are connected to the primaryframe part via a parallelogram mechanism active in a horizontal plane,for movement between an operative position at a distance from theprimary frame part and a transport position near the primary frame partwhilst maintaining their orientation with respect to the longitudinalcentre line.
 93. The device according to claim 92, wherein the firstcrop processing tool is a crop displacing tool.
 94. The device accordingto claim 93, wherein the crop processing tool is a rake.
 95. The deviceaccording to claim 92, wherein the first crop processing tools are eachmounted on a first pivot arm which is mounted on the secondary framepart via a first pivot connection, wherein the first pivot centre linesare located at a horizontal distance from the longitudinal centre line,which horizontal distance is smaller than that for the first cropprocessing tools.
 96. The device according to claim 95, wherein eachsecondary frame part is further provided with second crop processingtools, which are each mounted on a second pivot arm which is mounted onthe secondary frame part, behind the first pivot arm, by means of asecond pivot connection, wherein the second pivot centre lines arelocated at a larger horizontal distance from the longitudinal centreline than that for the second crop processing tools.
 97. The deviceaccording to claim 96, wherein the first and second pivot arms extend onboth sides of and from the respective secondary frame part in oppositedirections.
 98. The device according to claim 92, wherein the primaryframe part and the secondary frame parts are interconnected by means ofside arms whose ends are rotatably connected about substantiallyvertical centre lines to the primary frame part and the secondary frameparts, respectively.
 99. The device according to claim 92, wherein thehorizontal distance between the crop processing tool and the associatedpivot arm connection is adjustable.
 100. The device according to claim99, wherein the horizontal distance between the crop processing tool andthe associated pivot arm connection is adjustable by a telescopic designof the associated pivot arm.
 101. A haymaking device comprising a framehaving a central, primary frame part, the main part comprising a mainbeam extending in longitudinal direction, and a longitudinal centreline, and two side arms extending sidewardly on both sides of and fromthe central frame part and each carrying at least one crop processingtool, which crop processing tool is connected to the respective side armby means of a pivot shaft having a substantially horizontal pivot centreline in order to be pivoted between an operative position and anupwardly pivoted transport position, wherein the device furthercomprises a hitch for hitching the device to a tractor, and supportwheels for supporting the frame in the operative position and thetransport position of the device, wherein the support wheels are mountedto the ends of the side arms and are each rotatable about asubstantially vertical centre line, and wherein the device furthercomprises setting mechanisms for setting the position of each supportwheel with respect to the longitudinal centre line in at least oneoblique position with respect to the longitudinal centre line.
 102. Thedevice according to claim 101, wherein the crop processing tool isrotatably driven about a rotor centre line.
 103. The device according toclaim 102, wherein the crop processing tool is a rake.
 104. The deviceaccording to claim 101, wherein the side arms are pivotable about asubstantially vertical pivot centre line between one or more extendedoperative positions, in which they extend sidewardly from the central,primary frame part, and an inwardly pivoted transport position, in whichthey extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal centre line,wherein the mechanisms configured to be operated simultaneously but inopposite sense, so that the support wheels diverge or converge at thesame angle with respect to the longitudinal centre line.
 105. Ahaymaking device comprising a frame having a central, primary framepart, the main part comprising a main beam extending in longitudinaldirection, and a longitudinal centre line, and two side arms extendingsidewardly on both sides of and from the central frame part and eachcarrying at least one crop processing tool, which crop processing toolis connected to the respective side arm by means of a pivot shaft havinga substantially horizontal pivot centre line in order to be pivotedbetween an operative position and an upwardly pivoted transportposition, wherein the device further comprises a hitch for hitching thedevice to a tractor, and support wheels for supporting the frame in theoperative position and the transport position of the device, wherein thesupport wheels are mounted to the ends of the side arms and are eachrotatable about a substantially vertical centre line, wherein the devicefurther comprises an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the supportwheels for the side arms into different oblique positions with respectto the longitudinal centre line.
 106. The device according to claim 105,wherein the crop processing tool is rotatably driven about a rotorcentre line.
 107. The device according to claim 106, wherein the cropprocessing tools is a rake.
 108. The device according to claim 107,wherein the side arms are pivotable about a substantially vertical pivotcentre line between one or more extended operative positions, in whichthey extend sidewardly from the central, primary frame part, and aninwardly pivoted transport position, in which they extend substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal centre line, wherein the mechanismsconfigured to be operated simultaneously but in opposite sense, so thatthe support wheels diverge or converge at the same angle with respect tothe longitudinal centre line.